AUSTIN, Texas — Over the next few months, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is going to get more Customs and Border Protection officers.
On Monday, Congressman Lloyd Doggett said the airport will get four additional officers by the fall.
Right now, there are 15 CBP officers stationed at Austin's airport. They process incoming passengers from other countries and inspect cargo. The total CBP officer count will be increased by more than 25% with the addition of the four extra officers.
Congressman Doggett said a shortage of CBP officers is a major inconvenience for incoming international passengers. It's also an obstacle for securing new international flights.
In 2022, the FAA designated AUS as a large-hub category airport.
The congressman's office said despite the number of arrivals at the airport more than doubling from 2019 to 2023, previously the airport had not received an increase in assigned CBP officers.
“To be a true international city, Austin must have an adequate airport with direct international connections,” said Doggett. “For years, a shortage of CBP officers has been an obstacle to securing new international flights and a source of major inconvenience to incoming international passengers and local businesses awaiting incoming cargo. CBP officers not only process incoming passengers from foreign destinations at the airport but also have responsibility for inspecting cargo and supervising five remote Foreign-Trade Zones that are vital to our local economy.”
In the next six months, AUS will be adding two additional baggage carousels as well as doubling queuing space for passengers.